SIX TERRORISTS KILLED IN AYODHYA; RED ALERT SOUNDED THROUGHOUT INDIA

Ayodhya (India): All six suspected terrorists, who had stormed the disputed Ramjanmabhoomi site Ayodhya, were today killed by the security forces after a two-hour-long fierce encounter.

Faizabad Commissioner and receiver of the disputed site Arun Kumar Sinha that the five heavily-armed terrorists were gunned down in the fierce gunbattle this morning. The terrorists had entered the complex at about 0915 hrs.

Two CRPF jawans were also critically injured in the exchange of fire, the police said. The driver of a hired jeep, used by the terrorists to enter the complex, was arrested. Mr Sinha said no damage had been caused to the makeshift temple at the disputed site.

New Delhi: A high alert has been sounded in Ayodhya and Faizabad and all the entry and exit points to the city have been sealed following terrorist attack.

In New Delhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) and discussed the security situation in the Ramjanmabhoomi complex. Highly placed sources said a red alert has been sounded throughout the country and security beefed at all the religious places.

Home Minister Shivraj Patil today said no damage had been inflicted on the disputed structure in Ayodhya in the terrorist attack, adding that the Government was in the process of identifying the terrorist group behind the incident.

Addressing newspersons soon after the emergency meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security, he said, ''We are in the process of collecting information and will inform the people as we come across more details.''

''The police are trying to identify the terrorists who were killed in the encounter in Ayodhya,'' the Home Minister said, adding the Centre was in constant touch with the Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police.

Pastor Paul Ciniraj, Salem Voice Ministries, Devalokam (P.O), Kottayam, Kerala-686038, India.

Update: (Times of India)

Breakthrough in Ayodhya attack case

VISHWA MOHAN & BISHESHWAR MISHRA

TIMES NEWS NETWORK[ THURSDAY, JULY 07, 2005 12:30:02 AM ]

NEW DELHI: Investigation into the terror attack in Ayodhya has yielded vital clues about local contacts of the jehadi gang which carried out Tuesday’s assault.

While the suicide squad had destroyed the SIM cards of their mobile phones as well as the one belonging to the driver of the jeep they had hired, sources said investigators, with the help of the 15-digit International Mobile Equipment Identity numbers of their sets, have been able to trace the calls they made and received.

"We have important leads to follow," said a source. These include the recovery of a rocket launcher, four AK-56 rifles and 2 pistols — one of them has the name Gani engraved on it.

Investigations being conducted by UP police as well as the state’s Special Task Force suggest the gang, which sneaked in from Nepal, got considerable local assistance.

They rammed the vehicle at the spot in the perimeter closest to the makeshift structure; a factor which points to considerable familiarity with the topography.

The driver of the jeep that the terrorists took to the proposed temple complex, Rehan, is himself under the scanner.

A local, he was working in Saudi Arabia till recently. He has changed his versions several times, raising doubts about his role. His initial statement that he happened to pass by when he was hailed by the terrorists has turned out to be incorrect.

Investigators, however, acknowledge that inconsistencies in Rehan’s statements could also be because of nervousness. Meanwhile, UP police has been coordinating with their J&K counterparts.

A police inspector from J&K was expected to reach Faizabad to help identify the attackers, who visited a temple only as a red herring. J&K police have also asked UP police for the details of the markings on the weapons found on the terrorists.

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